The Great Southern Oregon Give-a-way has come to a close and congratulations to our winner, Betsy. Thank you to everyone who entered – we had an incredible 595 entries!

A package arrived yesterday. I’ve been eagerly anticipating it’s arrival. Inside there was a book and a pair of socks. It doesn’t take much to make me happy. But this was not just any book, nor just any pair of socks.

It hits me every year – just about this same time, getting ready to turn the calendar page from July to August. I call it hitting the brick wall. August, for me, is the ultimate work week Wednesday hump day. Only instead of 2 more days in the work week, I’ve got 2 more months before I get a day off. I’m not whining complaining (well, kinda I am) it’s just fact.

It’s about this time each summer when I’ve grown weary of the high temps because while Abi enjoys the heat, it sucks the life out of me. Give me a cool crisp fall day every time. I see people out and about wearing flip flops and shorts, they’re sporting tans and people are tossing the Frisbee in Lithia Park. It’s all very summeresque, but it’s not for me, unless of course I’m poolside in Cabo San Lucas with a margarita on the table next to me. But here in Ashland, it’s too hot for this girl! I hole up during the day; only venturing out after the intense heat of the sun has subsided. Does that make me a bat?!

Congress Avenue Bridge – Austin, TX. We were in Austin at the wrong time of the year so we didn’t see the bats fly. Photo credit: carriereducation.com

My brick wall is a metaphor for I’m hot, I’m tired and I am aching to hit the road. I am surrounded by travelers passing through our B&B on a daily basis, reminding me of adventures to come. In the meantime, while I stand over a hot stove each morning, I dream of fall and all that it will bring; the crisp cool air, the glorious reds and golds of leaves changing color, my favorite cardigan sweater and thoughts of being on the open road. And then I catch a bacon grease splat in the eye and it jolts me back to reality. It’s a good reality, I can’t deny it, but I’m always thinking two steps ahead of myself.

Standing in Oregon and looking at snow capped Mt. Shasta – in California – and the the valley floor blanketed with the gold colors of fall

But back to the book and the socks. In just about 6 weeks from now, we’re going to make a BIG announcement. We’ve got some major plans in the works and while I’d like to spill the beans right now at this very moment, I cannot. No, no, don’t beg, everyone likes a good cliff hanger. But I can drop a couple of hints. The book. The socks.

Thank you so much for the lovely prize! Can’t wait for you to share more of your “secret” plans. I’ve got a feeling they are an item on my own bucket list. 🙂Betsy recently posted…Kutna Hora: Beauty and Bones

Van a recorrer el Camino de Santiago!!! I’m guessing in Spanish, so I don’t give anything away — to anglophones anyway;-) I’d like to give it (or at least “part” of it) a go sometime. I’ll love following along your journey if I guessed correctly. We did a 5 day hike in New Zealand one year. Socks become your best friend—-or worst enemy.Suzanne Fluhr recently posted…Montecristo (and His People) Visit Brigantine and Philadelphia

I’m looking forward to hearing about your BIG adventure. If the book is a clue, I’m assuming the Camino is part of it. My sister plans to do that in September. If I weren’t in the middle of moving house, I might have considered joining her for at least part of that. And I would need very good socks.Donna Janke recently posted…Images of Vancouver

I love summer, but now you have me yearning for the fall colors and temps too. I’ve been trying to think of what I could buy my sisters that they would need. You gave me a great idea – socks! You can never have enough when fall does get here.

Bats? I wouldn’t go out of my way to see bats and your borrowed picture is fine for me. Reading Stellaluna to the grandkids is my favorite bat book and can’t wait to hear more about your surpriseNeva @ Retire for the Fun of it recently posted…We Found A Second Niagara Falls Out West

Probably you’re not a bat, and just need to embrace your inner Spaniard and Siesta during the heat of the day 🙂 Looking forward to your adventure – I want to do the Camino some day!Shelley recently posted…Top 3 Secrets for Saving Money on Flights

Unless that hint is a red herring, what exciting plans you’ve got coming up! Looking forward to a trip like that is enough to make the work and hot summer days easier to take, I’m sure. Also, congrats on the successful giveaway — awesome! Congrats to Betsy, too. 🙂Cathy Sweeney recently posted…Discovering Nova Scotia Wine and Food

A big congrats to Betsy with your contest, Patti! Oh my gosh I have two friends who did that whole Camino de Santiago last year! They took months of planning with outdoor gear and exercising to prepare. That will be a blast and good for you two to do it! That’s going to be so much fun. Someone really ironic totally cool about that Mt Shasta picture?? I can see it too from the peak of Mt Rose on a clear day here in Reno 🙂Mike recently posted…Top 10 Matt Damon Movies, How Do You Like Them Apples?

Thanks, Mike! That’s so cool about Mt. Rose, I’m trying to remember if I ever knew that? Probably not. As a teenager I probably would not have given it a 2nd thought, now I think it would be great to see for myself.

Oh I know the hole you speak of. I am the same way.
I’m not a sun person at all! You won’t find me sweating it out under the umbrella if it’s humid either. It tends to feel like the heat just sucks the life out of me!
Now about those socks and that book …. Hmmmm

Exciting Patti – I think I know what you’re planning and it sounds awesome 🙂 It must be hard being so busy and watching other travellers pass through your doors everyday but keep planning your own adventure and it’ll come around in no time. Can’t wait to hear more about the trip!Amy recently posted…Life in London

It has been an especially hot summer so far in Oregon. I try to remember how dark and dreary it was back in February and March and not complain too much about the sun. Last September the hubs and I did the last 65 miles on the Camino to celebrate my 65th birthday. It was an amazing experience. Even those few days and I will be back for a longer trek – after we complete a few others like Hadrian’s Wall and the Cinque Terra (I hope). Can’t wait to follow your adventures!
Do you close the B&B when you are off galavanting the world?Nancy Thompson recently posted…The Big Float ~

Oh, I’m so looking forward to hearing your news and plans but, if the book is a hint…Camino de Santiago is one of my ultimate hope-to-do-before-I-die wishes and I’ll be following your preparations and adventures with great interest!Anita @ No Particular Place To Go recently posted…Plundering, Protecting The King’s Gold And Pirates: Fort San Lorenzo